PERSHORE narrowly avoided defeat when they visited top of the table Redditch in Saturday's Worcestershire County League Division One clash.

Batting first on a distinctly damp wicket, Redditch found the bowling of Martin Johnson difficult to get away and progressed slowly with Chris Gibson (22) and Luke Wells (45) attempting to lay the foundations for a reasonable score.

After Gibson was dismissed by Johnson, the remaining Redditch batsmen failed to give Wells support and they perished in an attempt to push along the scoring rate.

Johan Coetsee took the last three wickets as the innings closed on 149-7 after 50 overs.

Pershore's batsmen must have relished the thought of reaching the target on a drying wicket and, despite the loss of an early wicket, John Brookes and Chris Prudden pushed the score along at the required run rate.

After reaching 88-2, the visitors appeared to be in a position to make the final push for victory.

However, the loss of the six wickets for just 37 runs left them having to bat out the final three overs to save the game and achieve only six points in their quest for a top four slot.

There was almost a welcome second win of the summer for Evesham, who failed gallantly in their bid to overhaul the 223-9 posted by Old Elizabethans.

Simon Langstone took 5-78 and followed up with 52 with the bat after openers Barry Clements (60) and Dave Higginson (43) had given the chasers the perfect start.

Langstone's run out proved the turning point as Evesham failed by five runs to salvage some pride from a sorry season.

Latest league standings

P W L D A Pts

Redditch 21 10 1 5 5 318

Ombersley 21 10 3 1 7 295

Pedmore 21 8 4 3 6 285

Pershore 21 9 5 2 5 260

Old Elizabethans 21 7 7 1 6 250

Luctonians 21 7 4 4 5 248

Kington 21 5 6 4 6 241

Droitwich Spa 21 3 3 8 7 216

Netherton 21 5 6 3 7 181

Chaddesley 21 2 10 4 5 147

Belbroughton 21 2 9 4 6 134

Evesham 21 1 11 2 7 129

Saturday fixtures

Worcestershire County League

Pedmore v Evesham, Droitwich Spa v Pershore, Evesham II v Pedmore, Pershore II v Droitwich Spa, Cutnall Green v Fladbury.

Friendlies

Alveston v Alcester & Ragley II, Overbury v Winchcombe,

Sunday friendlies

Blockley v Fladbury, Alcester & Ragley v Old Vigornians, Overbury v Stanway, Darlingscott v Long Compton, Dumbleton v Ashton, Bretforton v Martley, Shipston v WM Police Vets.